WOMBLES DOWNUNDER #206

THE season final edition of the WomblesDownunder newsletter is out now with 14 contributors over 27 pages. It’s written by Dons’ supporters for Dons supporters with a wash-up of last season, comment on the major talking points and a look ahead at the new season.

Iain Sandford hopes Neal Ardley will take a chill pill …. “because it all got far too intense by the end of the season and frankly it did no-one – staff, supporter or player – any good.” Iain has some interesting observations about the gaffer.

Another regular contributor Bush Womble asks: is it time for the Club to favour quality over quantity in the search for goalscorers? WDSA’s Wizard of Oz argues the loan system keeps Wimbledon alive but “it is like a drowning man grabbing a lifebuoy.”

Trevor Pearce rolls his sleeves up and gets stuck into the FA: “Here’s a novel idea: What about the FA actually enforcing their rules rather than a hair-brained League Three?

Secret Agent went to all 46 of the Dons’ league games last season and comments on and rates each Dons player, while Windlesham Don looks into what faces Neal Ardley in his search for new players and Mark Lewis gives a run down on the ‘We Are Wimbledon’ fund-raising initiative.

The Wiz presents his annual irreverent Corkies awards and Windlesham Don has a light-hearted look back at WDSA’s pre-season Pundits Poll and who was the top tipster.

There are regulars Ray Armfield, David Bugg, Paul Doughty and David Kenwery and five pages of Around League Two with other fans’ views from Northampton Town, Bristol Rovers, Mansfield Town, Accrington Stanley and the two promoted clubs, Luton Town and Cambridge United.

WomblesDownunder has been chronicling Wimbledon FC since October 1985 …..

“WE were there when Fash was terrorising defencesin the old Division 2; we were around when DaveBeasant lifted the FA Cup at Wembley; wewitnessed the heart-rending day when the Dons wentdown from the Premier League, and left NealArdley on his haunches sobbing; we raged at theinjustice of the hijack to Milton Keynes; weflippin’ burst with pride when AFC Wimbledon roselike a phoenix and we cheered when ‘it took only nine years’ to reach the Football League.”

It’s all in the acclaimed ‘WomblesDownunder‘ newsletter and all for just one dollar an issue (six a season).This is what just some have been saying after reading WomblesDownunder …

Stephen Crabtree (The Historical Don) …“If you want in-depth, up-to-date, critical comment on every aspect of AFC Wimbledon then the WomblesDownunder newsletter is for you. Each issue Rob gets together a range of writers to examine the parts of the club other publications do not reach. Always well informed, at 200 not out it will no doubt be at the crease for many years to come.”

Erik Samuelson…“I’ve always been impressed by the quality and the range of topics from Dons fans around the world. WDSA brings them all together and produces a very high quality newsletter (and website). Long may it continue. My only grumble is that during our interviews he always manages to get me to say a bit more than I meant to, while respecting genuine confidences.”

Ray Armfield ..“The biggest compliment I can pay is that I’ve often read exclusives and discovered news about our club via a newsletter compiled on the other side of the world.”

Rob Bushaway (Derbyshire) … “I have often commented that the news provided by the fanzine was much more informative than the national press. It’s beenbrilliant and fair to say it still is.”

Andy Powell (Devon Womble) … “I stepped inside Plough Lane to watch my first Wimbledon match sometime late in 1972/1973 (against Nuneaton Borough if memory serves me right), but beyond the fragments of sage wisdom in the local pub about our performances, and a constantly biased press; it was always hard to know much about what was really going on inside the boardroom, inside the dressing room, or occasionally, on the pitch (!) Now, almost 40 years later all I have to do is subscribe a token amount of dosh and I get WomblesDownunder newsletters loaded with the sort of stuff I suspect few club supporters get yet most crave. Where are you hiding the webcams Rob? Probably the best £10 I’ve spent in years.”

Bobby Gould …“I have printed off the three pages of your Dons’ newsletter containing my interview and thoroughly enjoyed the read. Hope your loyal readers enjoyed it as much as I did .”

Mike Richardson …“It’s great. It’s one thing I do read thoroughly.”

Paul Harman …“Thanks for a great magazine. With the advent of technology, the WomblesDownunder newsletter is still required reading. I print each edition and spend the next couple of days reading the magazine.”

Iain Sandford ….“I think the newsletter’s fantastic. Full of really interesting and well informed content and measured, balanced opinion pieces. The Harry Bassett interview was a particular joy. So yes, a terrific read and well worth the investment.”

Hash Ahmed ….“Just finished reading the 200th edition and can I just say congratulations and thank you for a well written, engaging and informative newsletter. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it…every page of it! I loved the range of topics covered; I think every conceivable Womble topic was written about. As a Wimbledon fan, it’s not possible to get bored reading this. Big thank you for all the hard work that goes into it and please keep it up!”

Tony Ward of Crawley…“Wow … That is some newsletter! I think it is an amazing achievement that you and your fellow supporters can produce a document of that detail. It’s fantastic, especially as it is Edition 190-odd.”

So there’s never been a better time to discover the delights of WomblesDownunder. Here’s your chance, what are you waiting for? To join WDSA and get your season email subscription to the long-running WomblesDownunder newsletter and its many pages of quality reading simply follow thislink and you will soon become a devotee as are many others around the world. Twenty-nine years and still going strong …..

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Wimbledon Downunder Supporters’ Association (WDSA) was formed in October 1985 for Australian and New Zealand supporters of Wimbledon FC. WDSA publishes an acclaimed newsletter – Wombles Downunder – which has been running continuously for over 30 years.